“HB 12 is an unconstitutional and very costly measure that will
jeopardize the public safety of all Texans,” said NALEO President and former Harris County Commissioner Sylvia R. Garcia. “This legislation
will violate their civil rights and subject the state’s Latinos and newcomers to discrimination.”

HB 12 would not allow counties and cities to approve measures blocking law enforcement from asking the legal status of detained persons.

“This bill makes it harder for localities to set their own policies on keeping their neighborhoods safe,” said NALEO Educational Fund Chairman Juan C. Zapata. “In these times of pressing economic challenges, HB 12 does nothing but place significant burdens on local governments when limited resources are sorely needed elsewhere.”

Soon after the House Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security added onto and voted out of committee Texas Senator Tommy Williams’ (R-The Woodlands) Senate Bill 9, the Secure Communities bill, The Senate Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security returned the favor and reconsidered and voted out of committeee House Bill 12, the sanctuary cities bill.